Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Who's in control - you or your to-do list?
It's good practice to realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. It takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are a few simple steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:
- Allocate time for planning, preparing and organizing.
- Create a to-do list.
- Create a NOT to-do list.
- Leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. Traffic ring a bell?
- Prioritize what is most important and do that first. Ask yourself, is this a priority?
- At what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
- If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say no.
- Ask for help and delegate.
- In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
Also take a look at the two biggest ways you may not be using your time and energy effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large or too complex, or when we feel we won’t be able to handle it. When you get to this point, try “chunking”: break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. Facebook anyone? The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time and energy, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?”
No comments:
Post a Comment